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Monday, 22 September 2014

Why do I write? Blog Hop

I was tagged to take part in this 'Why Do I Write?' Blog Hop by my lovely blogger friend Jade, who writes over at Late For Reality. This is the first time I've participated in a Blog Hop - I thought it might be a nice one to have a crack at, and will hopefully give my readers a bit of an insight into why I blog, and how my writing process works.

I started this blog back on the 30th January 2012. It really started as an online diary - a way to house in one place all the things I was getting up to, all of my thoughts and ideas, and a way to share with my family (who live 100 miles away) how I was getting on week to week. I was feeling that 'new year-new you' vibe, and was determined to shed weight for my upcoming nuptials (Aug 2012).

Once I started writing I became totally addicted. My family and friends all read it, and said they enjoyed it, and before I knew it friends of friends had started reading, and soon a whole host of strangers…it occurred to me that actually maybe I do have a voice worth listening to, that I might be able to create something people will enjoy reading. I found that writing the blog really helped me to see potential 'material' everywhere, and soon I realised that the blog was driving me to seek out new experiences and adding so much joy to my everyday.

I've always found the process of writing things down cathartic - I kept a diary as a teenager, and this was just my extension of that really. The blog has helped me to deal with some pretty hefty things, and has helped to keep me on track - especially when it comes to weight loss. I'd have found it far harder to have lost the 5 stone 5 lbs (and counting!) if it wasn't for the blog - writing about the numbers on the scale, saying it out loud to all of you lovely readers, somehow makes me more accountable - I feel like I'll be letting you down, as well as myself, if I gain - does that make sense?

I have also enjoyed being able to document our journey into parenthood on the blog. From our miscarriage in 2012, the pregnancy with Bert, to little Bert's arrival, and all the joy he has bought to our lives since then, I love having it all documented on here to look back on in the future.

2. What am I working on?

At the moment I'm working on a few cool things: I'm braving it into the world of vlogging (video blogging) very soon and will be reviewing a SUPER exciting kitchen gadget for you all…eeek!

I have a couple of beautiful children's toy reviews in the making…hopefully I'll be able to share lots of lovely gift ideas with you all between now and Christmas (you know how I love to shop!)

I also have to play catch up with my Baking Challenge posts - as I missed August (it was SUCH a busy month for us) …. so I owe you two baking challenges this month. I'm also making a birthday cake for my cousin's 30th birthday at the end of September, so all being well I'll be able to share that with you all as well.

3. How does my blog differ from others of its genre?

I think my blog is different because it doesn't quite conform to just one genre. When describing my little virtual world I usually use the umbrella term 'lifestyle' blog as I cover such a wide range of topics from baking, parenting, health/fitness, wellbeing, interior design, fashion and crafting to name but a few!

I'd say my blog is very true to me - I have pretty strict integrity when it comes to opportunities I say yes to - I won't review something that does't genuinely interest or excite me and I won't work with a company unless I know that I and my readers will enjoy it.

4. How does my writing process work?

A lot of my posts are quite 'off the cuff' - just me chattering about something I've done, somewhere I've been, or some pretty things I've found online. Sometimes, my posts are more planned - and might be a few weeks in the making. It really does depend on the subject of the post. I try to include loads of photos as I know that when I read other blogs I love to see lots of pictures of their lives (I'm SO nosy, so I can only assume all you lovely blog readers are too!) I usually write with a loose idea beforehand of what I want the post contain/how I want it to look, then I proof read. Finally, I get my husband to have a peek (he's great at spotting mistakes I might have missed) before I press 'publish'. I don't usually post anything without his opinion, as his is the opinion I trust most among all others, plus I think its fair he sees what I'm about to say before anyone else!

I'm constantly on the lookout for things I might want to write about on the blog - from a recipe I might see and think 'oooh that'll make a fab blog' to a dinner I throw together and think 'blimey that was easy/tasty/cheap/filling (delete as appropriate) I should blog that one'. Sometimes it might be how I'm feeling emotionally about something that will prompt a post, or it might be a fun day out we've had that I'm desperate to share with you. I love to mark all of my special occasions with a post such as my birthday, anniversaries and Bert's milestones, and I enjoy sharing awesome product reviews with any space I can find in-between all of the above!

So I have been growing and juicing my own wheatgrass. I very causally read the growing section of Ann Wigmores's book on growing wheatgrass and that, with my general knowledge of sprouting seeds, I figured out the relatively simple process.Jogo 2019jogo io onlinegame io